Abraham Jefferson Seay was born near Lynchburg, Virginia, November 28, 1832. When he was three years old his parents moved to Missouri, where he was reared on a farm and was responsible for the raising of his ten siblings, while he tried to educate himself. After gaining what education he could in the neighborhood schools, he secured a few books, taught at a country school, attended an academy at Steelville, studied law and was admitted to the bar, in April 1861. He enlisted in the volunteer army at the outbreak of the Civil War and was commissioned lieutenant. Remaining in the active service to the end of the war, he was mustered out with the rank of major. Taking up the practice of his profession, he also became quite active in political affairs. He served as district judge for twelve years. He then became President of the First National Bank of Rollo, Missouri. He held this office until his death. When the Territory of Oklahoma was organized, in May, 1890, he was named as chief justice of the Territorial Supreme Court and, sixteen months later, was named as governor to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Governor Steele. He served until May, 1893, when he was removed by President Cleveland. He then settled at Kingfisher, where he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred in California, December 22, 1915. He was buried at the Kingfisher Cemetery.
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Ann Maloney, Bartlesville, OK.
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